We put out the annual call for Sandbar graduates recently-- Sandbar customers who have become regulars in the bar during their time at KU. Learn a little bit about Matt in today's post.

What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Which one do you never want to hear again?Favorite: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme Song.Never to Hear Again: Never heard a song I didn’t like on the jukebox; I just don’t like listening to the same song five times when I’m there. (Editor's note: Neither do we.)

Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.It was a slow Saturday afternoon right after opening when my girlfriend and I brought in our puppy, a mini-dachshund (weiner dog), named Olive. The crowd was pretty small since the bar just opened, around five to ten people.

We were sitting at the bar enjoying some refreshments, sneaking some popcorn to Olive between sips, when a patron of the Sandbar came up and asked, “Are you happy to see me, or is that a wiener in your lap?”

Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.I thought it was a unique bar with a cool theme that made me want to go on a Caribbean vacation. When I had that first delicious Shark Attack surrounded by awesome music and atmosphere I was hooked. (Maybe we should check these drinks to see if they are laced. Just a thought.)

What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?The Bahama Mama with a chaser of Dirty Banana. However, the one I will always miss the most is the JERSEY SHORE. Bring it back!

Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town or moving on to new adventures? Well, it is time to move on…sort of. I will be close by in Kansas City working at The University of Kansas Hospital completing a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency.

How many hours have you waited in line?I have probably waited for no more than three hours TOTAL in my eight year college stint. I usually plan to get their early or go in on Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend Kylie and our dachshund Olive when it isn’t terribly busy to visit Coleen. (Coleen loves to give Olive Scooby Snacks and “spill” popcorn for Olive to clean up.)

Gotta love the Sandbar! I will be bringing family and friends there this graduation weekend for tasty refreshments. Can’t wait.

Congratulations, Matt! (And to Kylie and Olive, too.) We look forward to seeing you this weekend.

We put out the annual call for Sandbar graduates recently-- Sandbar customers who have become regulars in the bar during their time at KU. Learn a little bit about Emily.

What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Everyone knows 90s music is my domain (which is why Sandbar is the best), but I'd have to go with Circle of Life. There's just something about hearing that tribal chant when you're a few (cough 10) drinks in!

Which one do you never want to hear again? I actually don't recall ever hearing a song I haven't enjoyed! If anything, just no more Taylor Swift.

Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not. When me and this other guy were doing a hurricane and he challenged me to a dance off on the bar. I think he was twerking at one point. He obliterated me!

Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression. I knew it would become my home away from home (is that sad?)! I heard Mmmbop come on and I was hooked! (Editor's note: Mmmmbop is a certain bartender's favorite song. Ahem, Justin.)

What's your drink of choice? The classic Shark Attack! Dirty bananas are also a weakness of mine

The one you'll miss the most? $2 Tuesdays and Refill Thursdays! Having everyone sing "I Want It That Way" is also like a religious experience, so I'll definitely miss that!

Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town or moving on to new adventures? Currently waiting to hear back from jobs in Boston and Baltimore, so hopefully I'll be heading out that way soon! But I will definitely be in Lawrence over the summer!

How many hours have you waited in line? I've never waited more than 30 minutes! I make sure to get there early to avoid any lines! I'm not an amateur!

This is a guest post from long-time Friday bartender Heather, who has a big life change to announce.

Friday evenings are that enchanting part of the week when many let go of the stress from the work week and smoothly slide into the weekend. For a lot of years I have been fortunate to share that time with many of you. While I often say it has been ten years, my spouse likes to remind me that I have been saying ten years for several years now. So, let’s just call it a good, long while.

I’ve learned a lot behind the bar. For example, it’s not a good idea to mix up the salt and sugar when making lemon drop shots. Yes, it is possible to fall off the bar while stone cold sober (not one of my finer moments). Some songs will bring people together and turn a group of strangers into friends no matter their age. Drinks with toys make adults as happy as kids with toys. Usually most everyone has a pretty interesting story to tell or advice to share and no matter how bad your day people seem happy to see the person handing them drinks.

During my time I’ve seen bar patrons experience hook-ups and break-ups, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and many a bachelorette party. I’ve danced on the bar more times than I can count but am guessing at least a thousand times. Phil and I have had the same discussion about the merits of disco over a hundred times but bless his heart the man will tolerate ABBA on my behalf.

Some truly amazing individuals have come through our doors. A few have moved on – some to other places in the world and some to that great bar in the sky. (RIP my friends and may the spirits on the other side be as delicious as those we toast to you here.) I’ve been lucky to forge friendships with people who’ve become more important to me than I could have imagined all those years ago when I got my very first tip.

Just as that first dollar bill opened up a new phase I am preparing for another new beginning in my life. He doesn’t officially have a name yet but he should be born around the beginning of September. This isn’t a goodbye, at least not for me, not yet anyway. This is just a break and I hope to return from maternity leave with lots of amusing stories.

Until then, enjoy the tunes coming from the speakers, the beverage in front of you, and the company of those around you.

Join us this Friday, July 12, from 5-9 p.m. to celebrate Heather's "final Friday for awhile." RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends. And for the record, Heather's been behind the bar for thirteen years now.

How many times have you danced on the bar? Only once, but I hope to make it many more this summer!

What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? Just
celebrating at Sandbar after all the important occasions in my life:
birthdays, holidays, concerts sorority formals, and the end of finals!
Also, I'm quite fond of any time my friends and
I bring a pie or order pizza to the bar

What are your plans after graduation? After getting my Bachelor's this spring I plan on rocking my last two years of Pharmacy School!

Tell us something else about yourself. I'm just a girl who
can't pass up good drinks, good music, and good people. Also, I have
plenty of pictures to back up all these special occasions.

Graduation might be a distant memory for the class of 2013, but we're still happy to tell you about some of our customers. The very helpful Katie sent us not only her own answers to our questions, but answers for several of her friends, also.

Sandbar Graduate Profile: Katie Mo

Twitter Handle: @katiemo91

What's your favorite jukebox song? Anything Whitney Houston

What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar? I waited an hour and a half for bar band once, spent 45 minutes of that time at the
front of the line, but it was worth it.

What's your favorite tropical drink? Shark Attack always

How many times have you danced on the bar? Five, I think. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has the hurricane dance memorized

What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? I
ended my 21st birthday at Sandbar, and that was pretty great. However, I
also enjoyed seeing Big Wave Dave break out the Harlem Shake at the
last Bar Band of the season this year. Making the
two mile walk during the snowstorm this year to get to Sandbar also
goes on the list.

What are your plans after graduation? Living in Lawrence for one last summer of freedom and then off to Australia for a year as an Au Pair!

Tell us something else about yourself. Sandbar was one of the
only bars I couldn't go to until I was actually 21, but it was worth the
wait! Its part of my Perfect KU Trifecta: Sandbar, Sorority, and KU
Basketball. Formerly I could be seen holding
the "Bill Self for President" sign at basketball games.Starting in the fall, I'll be teaching the rock chalk chant to the Aussies :)

Thanks, Katie! Make sure you take a Sandbar shirt to Australia, and maybe you'll run into one of our other 2013 graduates, Dr. Emmie! What's with everybody going to Australia all of a sudden?!

For the past three days, we've been featuring friends and customers who are graduating this spring. Today's entry is from Nicole, who along with yesterday's guest blogger, Andrea, has been a fixture in the bar on Thursday nights.

What's your favorite jukebox song?

My favorite jukebox song is either "it wans't me" by Shaggy or "Wannabe" by Spice Girls.

What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar?

The longest I've had to wait in line was probably 45 minutes.

What's your favorite tropical drink?

My favorite tropical drink is Dinomite!

How many times have you danced on the bar?

I've danced on the bar too many times to count!

What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar?

My favorite memory of The Sandbar is either typical Thursday or being there this semester for the snow days.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are to move to Overland Park for a customer service job at Philadelphia Insurance.

Tell us something else about yourself.

My roommate Andrea and I have only missed a few
Thursdays at the Sandbar for the past 3 semesters. :)

Nicole didn't send us any pictures, but you can check out her roommate's submission; she's probably in one of those photos. Thanks, Nicole, and congratulations!

Each year, we try to remember to highlight some of our favorite customers who happen to be graduating and moving on. Here's the second feature for 2013, Andrea, a Thursday night regular. Click here to read about another graduate, Dr. Emmie.

What's your favorite jukebox song?

Wannabe by Spice Girls and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by N*Sync

What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar?

Probably 45 minutes to an hour, but there's no such thing as too long to wait!

What's your favorite tropical drink?

Dynomite for sure!

How many times have you danced on the bar?

Too many to count!!

What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar?

Every #typicalthursday! Me and Nicole only missed
one all year! And also taking my best friend that goes to Mizzou (ew)
to show her the best bar in Lawrence!

What are your plans after graduation?

I am graduating with a degree in Sport
Management, and interning with FC Kansas City and Kansas City Comets
soccer teams.

Congratulations, Andrea, and we hope you'll still be able to stop by for some tropical drinks! Thanks for being a fun regular customer on Thursday nights.

Each year (except last year, because I was busy with a baby and maybe a little bit lazy), we highlight some of our Sandbar regulars who are graduating and moving on. Or maybe graduating and not moving on. Either way. Here's the first of this year's Sandbar graduates, Dr. Emmie.

What's your favorite jukebox song?

Sweet Caroline – because there’s nothing more enjoyable than a big group sing-a-long that involves a mid-chorus BAH-BAH-BAH! And also, because good times never felt so good.

Melon balls – deeelicious Midori. And of course, any drink that comes with a mustache.

How many times have you danced on the bar?

Twice! My first time wasn't captured on film but I have a fun video of my second time dancing on the bar. Lots of jazz hands involved.

What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar?

Right before I got to dance on the bar for the second time, we were waiting for the guys to get the costumes out and such, my friends and I had a drunken fish-face contest with the fish at the back of the bar. Needless to say – the humans won the most ridiculous face. We later capped those funny faces off with stick-on mustaches.

What are your plans after graduation?

More school more school, escape reality! I’m headed to study at another Sandbar – the beach in southern Australian! In the fall I move to Geelong, Victoria for another doctorate. Then I’ll be a Doctor Doctor and my life will be one step closer to the scene in “Spies Like Us."

Tell us something else about yourself.

I stumbled into the Sandbar for the first time as a hasher – a member of the Hash House Harriers. Better known as the drinking club with a running problem. The hashers have introduced me to a lot of great places and great bars, so Sandbar has great hashing memories for me. I also like puppies, rainbows, and long walks on the beach.

I’m sending along photos – I am pictured in the beautiful blue mermaid outfit. Pretty much the best dressed at the bar. Great memories!

We'd be lying if we didn't admit to being just a teeny bit jealous of Emmie and her upcoming Australian adventures. Emmie, please buy a Sandbar shirt and take pictures with it on the beach.